First Darwin coronavirus case confirmed in the community as tourist tests positive
A NSW tourist to Darwin, who has tested positive to coronavirus, shopped at Woolworths in the city before he was diagnosed
Northern Territory
Don't miss out on the headlines from Northern Territory. Followed categories will be added to My News.
THE NSW tourist to Darwin who tested positive to coronavirus went to Woolworths in the city before he entered quarantine.
Deputy NT Chief Health Officer, Professor Dianne Stephens this morning said the risk arising from that “very short” shopping trip to other shoppers was minimal.
“It was a very short trip and he was not in prolonged contact with any individual,” she said.
The shopping trip is believed to have taken place mid-afternoon on Tuesday.
Prof Stephens said the man then went to his hotel, the Ramada in the city.
He started feeling a little unwell and immediately isolated himself.
Prof Stephens also said health authorities were contacting passengers seated near the man on the plane from Sydney to Darwin, Flight QF840, which was scheduled to arrive at 1.05pm on Tuesday.
“We will be reaching out to the people who were seated near him on that Qantas flight so they know how to manage themselves from here,” she said.
Asked if people who were working or shopping in Woolies on Tuesday should be concerned, Prof Stephens said: “That was a very short trip in, he had no prolonged contact with any individuals ...”
“It is impossible to say how many he was in contact with but we know he was in close contact with only a few people,” she said.
“We will reach out to people who were seated close to him (on the Qantas flight).
“We say to anyone who was on that flight who is feeling unwell to report to their GP or Health Clinic.”
The tourist becomes the first confirmed case of coronavirus in the community in the Northern Territory.
In a statement last night, the Health department stated: “NT Health has this evening confirmed the first case of COVID-19 in the community.
“A 52-year-old tourist tested positive this evening and is currently in isolation in Royal Darwin Hospital where he is receiving treatment in line with current plans.
“The man only recently arrived in Darwin via Sydney and has had limited contact with the local community.
“The Top End Health Service Public Health Unit is undertaking contact tracing and will reach out to those who may have been in contact with the man in line with public health protocols.
“Further details will be available in the morning.”
Fear of the unknown from the deadly coronavirus could scuttle the plans of tourists who were planning to travel to the Territory in the looming peak tourist season.
Deputy chief executive officer of the NT Department of Tourism Andrew Hopper told the NT News a multifaceted plan is being enacted to try to head-off a major hit to tourism.
He said the challenge for all jurisdictions would be to convince people to travel rather than cancel their plans over coronavirus fears.
“There has been a history of that in other circumstances, whether that be SARS or other things,” he said.
Mr Hopper said the Territory was going to have to work harder than ever before in the face of reports that more than 12.6 million Aussies are expected to visit bushfire-affected regions in 2020.
Darwin International Airport boss Ian Kew said yesterday that with the impending drop-off in the international travel market now was the time to focus on the domestic tourist market.
AMAZING NT News subscription offer: Only $1 for first 28 days
“We should redirect international marketing funds to a domestic campaign (that) is destinational and combines festivals and events,” Mr Kew said.
Meanwhile the remaining Diamond Princess cruise ship COVID-19 evacuees will be released today after spending 14 days in isolation at the Howard Springs Workers Camp.
They were the second lot of evacuees to be sent to the old Inpex workers camp to be quarantined.
Originally published as First Darwin coronavirus case confirmed in the community as tourist tests positive